After nine lifetimes of reincarnation, the yandere villainous heroine descends.

In Qing City, the twilight was as dark as ink, enveloping the Xu family's old residence.

The copper bells on the eaves rang with a mournful sound in the draft, as if foreshadowing misfortune.

Inside the council hall deep within the mansion, the flickering candlelight cast dappled light on and off the faces of the people present.

On either side of the long sandalwood table, the most core high-ranking members of the Xu family sat upright like pine trees, the atmosphere so oppressive that it was hard to breathe.

In the main seat, the white-haired old man tapped the armrest with his withered fingers.

The voice, though soft, struck everyone's heart like a heavy hammer.

"Have you found Xianwen's whereabouts?"

The old man finally spoke, his hoarse voice carrying an unyielding chill, yet his cloudy eyes burned with a terrifying glint.

The old man's name was Xu Jingfeng, and he was the true power holder of the Xu family.

He has four sons. His fourth son, Xu Muchen, is currently a high-ranking official in the Mingyou Bureau of Kyoto.

The second son, Xu Lanyou, firmly controls the family's vast business empire.

The eldest son, Xu Yaoyang, had left the Xu family at a young age and established his own power based on his own strength.

The remaining three sons, Xu Changfeng, became the head of the Xu family in this generation.

Xu Changfeng had only one son, Xu Xianwen.

Xu Xianwen received personal and meticulous guidance from the old man from a young age. As Xu Jingze's successor, he was highly regarded and it was a foregone conclusion that he would become the next head of the Xu family.

Among the many younger generation members of the family, Xu Xianwen, as a direct descendant, naturally enjoys the best resources provided by the family.

At this time, the spiritual energy recovery process is accelerating on a large scale, creating an exceptionally favorable environment for cultivation.

Xu Xianwen was exceptionally talented and hardworking. Before he turned thirty, he had already broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm, and his future was bright.

However, unexpectedly, Xu Xianwen, who was cultivated by his family with all his might and had countless resources, disappeared from Suzhou City without any warning.

Even though Xu Jingfeng no longer interferes in the affairs of the Xu family on the surface, leaving all matters to Xu Changfeng.

However, upon hearing the news of Xu Xianwen's disappearance, he immediately stepped forward to take charge of the situation.

Upon hearing Xu Jingfeng's question, the expressions on everyone's faces subtly changed.

At this moment, Xu Changfeng, the current head of the family, slowly spoke: "Today, a servant came to report that Xianwen has gone missing, and all signs seem to point to the Su family."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jingfeng's expression instantly turned cold: "Is this true?"

"Xianwen went to Su City to see his fiancée, Su Qinan's daughter."

Xu Changfeng continued.

"If this matter is truly related to the Su family, I will make them pay a heavy price."

Xu Jingfeng said in a chilling tone.

Aside from this marriage alliance, the Su and Xu families have no other connection.

Although the two families were far apart, the Xu family, one of the three tigers of the south, had never taken the Su family seriously.

"Lanyou, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

Xu Jingfeng suddenly turned his gaze to Xu Lanyou, who stood calmly to the side.

Hearing this, Xu Lanyou smiled slightly: "Right now, the most important thing is to find out Xianwen's current situation. Also, I have some news to share."

"What news?"

Xu Jingfeng asked in a deep voice.

Xu Lanyou did not answer immediately, but clapped her hands lightly.

In an instant, footsteps echoed in the corridor outside the room, followed by a creak.

The tightly closed door slowly opened, and a figure walked in from outside, coming into everyone's view.

Under the dim light inside the room, the person's face gradually became clear.

If Shen Shuchou were present at this moment, he would definitely recognize this person as his deskmate Xu Dong at a glance.

However, compared to Xu Dong on ordinary days, his face, now shrouded in dim light, had a more sinister look.

As soon as Xu Dongfu appeared, Xu Changfeng's gaze immediately fell on Xu Lanyou.

As Xu Lanyou's son, Xu Dong has always been the least noticeable among the younger generation of the Xu family.

Lacking both outstanding talent and exceptional courage, he was sent away from the Xu family a long time ago.

However, at this moment, Xu Dong, who is almost invisible in the Xu family, actually appeared at such an important occasion.

This sudden change gave Xu Changfeng a sudden sense of foreboding.

Their gazes involuntarily fell on Xu Lanyou, who remained calm and composed to the side.

Faced with Xu Changfeng's probing gaze, Xu Lanyou simply smiled indifferently.

Just then, Xu Dong turned his gaze to Xu Jingfeng, who was sitting in the main seat, and reported in an orderly manner: "Grandpa, according to my investigation, on the night Xianwen disappeared, in addition to the Su family members, it seems that the Shen family members also appeared at the scene."

The moment those words were spoken, the hall fell into an eerie silence. Xu Jingfeng's weathered gaze suddenly sharpened, fixing on Xu Dong with the intensity of a hawk's.

In an instant, an invisible yet immense pressure spread through the air, rapidly engulfing Xu Dong's surroundings.

Even Xu Changfeng, upon hearing this, immediately turned his gaze to Xu Dong, trying to discern the truth of the words from his eyes.

Under the immense pressure from Xu Jingfeng, Xu Dong's face twitched slightly, but he still forced himself to remain calm.

Because he knew in his heart that all he needed to do at this moment was withstand the pressure.

Now that Xu Xianwen is missing, he finally has a chance to compete for that position that was once out of reach.

He had endured and bided his time for so many years, waiting for just such a golden opportunity, and now, that opportunity had truly appeared before his eyes.

After an unknown amount of time, Xu Jingfeng slowly withdrew that chilling and terrifying pressure.

In his weathered eyes, a hint of admiration flickered as he witnessed Xu Dong's composure under immense pressure.

Little did he know that Xu Dong's back was already soaked with sweat.

"Is it the Shen family of Kyoto?"

Xu Jingfeng looked solemn and slowly asked.

"Exactly!"

Xu Dong quickly responded.

"How accurate is the information you've investigated?"

Xu Jingfeng then pressed on with further questions.

"At least 80%!"

Xu Dong responded truthfully.

In the dimly lit hall, the orderly question-and-answer session was clearly audible to those nearby.

"In that case, this matter will be entrusted to you for a thorough investigation. I need to know all the details within three days, and you are free to allocate the Xu family's resources."

Xu Jingfeng looked at Xu Dong and gave the instructions with a serious expression.

After speaking, Xu Jingfeng slowly stood up, his weathered yet still robust figure moving deeper into the hall.

"father!"

Upon seeing this, Xu Changfeng hurriedly stood up and called out anxiously.

However, Xu Jingfeng ignored him and continued walking deeper into the area.

Now that Xu Jingfeng, the one in power, had left, the others naturally saw no need to stay any longer and left one after another.

However, before leaving, the others lingered their gazes on Xu Lanyou, the second son of the Xu family, and Xu Changfeng, the third son, as if with a deeper meaning.

After everyone had left, Xu Changfeng's face darkened, and he stared intently at Xu Lanyou, coldly demanding, "What exactly do you want?"

"Third brother, what do you mean by that?"

Faced with the chilling tone in Xu Changfeng's words, Xu Lanyou remained calm and asked in return without batting an eye.

"Don't think I don't know what you're thinking. I'm the head of the family now, and you'd better give up any thoughts you shouldn't have."

Xu Changfeng braced his hands on the table, staring down at Xu Lanyou with a warning in his voice.

"Yeah?"

Xu Lanyou's lips curled into an ambiguous smile, her eyes slightly raised, a look that seemed both mocking and sarcastic.

This dismissive attitude instantly ignited Xu Changfeng's long-suppressed anger.

He suddenly reached out, his knuckles white as he gripped the other man's collar tightly, his aura instantly turning chilling: "You want to take my power? Are you qualified?"

Xu Lanyou swayed slightly as she was gripped, but she remained composed, lowering her eyes to brush off the wrinkles in her clothes: "Third brother, don't be so sensitive. In my opinion, you should put aside your affairs for a while and rest properly."

A murderous aura surged within those cold, dark eyes, and the imminent threat did not deter Xu Lanyou in the slightest.

He raised his hand and pressed down on the other person's wrist, his tone remaining calm and unhurried.

"You're asking for it!"

Xu Changfeng roared, his true energy surging like an undercurrent, exploding with a destructive pressure, the air around him twisting and trembling.

At the critical moment, a clear, cold voice poured down like a bucket of cold water: "Has Third Uncle forgotten the family rules?"

Xu Dong appeared beside them at some point, but there was no fear in his eyes.

Xu Changfeng suddenly turned his head, and the tangible chill transformed into a sharp blade, instantly piercing through Xu Dong's entire body.

"How dare you! Since when did it become your place to speak out of turn?"

Xu Lanyou scoffed lightly, slowly smoothing out the wrinkles in her sleeves, and said casually, "If Third Brother is feeling frustrated, why not use this kid to vent your anger? After all, keeping anger inside can be harmful to your health."

After saying that, he glanced at Xu Dong with a half-smile and said, "Aren't you going over there to let your third uncle vent his anger?"

"yes!"

Xu Dong sensed something was off about those words, but he braced himself and slowly walked over, enduring the murderous glare.

Xu Changfeng's face turned as black as the bottom of a pot as he watched the father and son singing in unison.

However, at this moment, he gradually regained some of his rationality.

He knew in his heart that he could not possibly make a move against Xu Dong. Even if he really wanted to, he should never have chosen this place, right under Xu Jingfeng's nose.

"You can figure out these family rules yourself at your own pace."

Xu Changfeng sneered, his gaze sharp as a knife. "Long time no see, you've improved quite a bit, but unfortunately you're still lacking in refinement."

Xu Dong could easily hear the contempt in those words; they were simply saying that he would never be as good as Xu Xianwen.

"Uncle is right. Brother Xianwen has always been the goal I strive to catch up with. If Brother Xianwen can return safely, I will definitely learn from him even more humbly."

Xu Dong responded neither humbly nor arrogantly, but his words were like hidden blades, mercilessly piercing Xu Changfeng.

Xu Changfeng stared intently at the junior in front of him, then suddenly turned to look at Xu Lanyou, his tone full of sarcasm: "Second brother, you've certainly taught your son some good methods."

With that, he flung his sleeves away and strode off, leaving behind a scene of chaos and tension.